I love how the only objections I see here toward moving away from our ridiculously ineffective punitive justice system and toward a PROVEN system of rehabilitative justice are from people who feel the need to denigrate others who have failed.
Recidivism in America is around 67%. Recidivism in the European Nordic states, who focus more on "soft justice" and rehab of their inmates (I know, I know, bunch a pussies) have brought recidivism down to around 1%
http://www.dropoutpr...nordic-prisons/
Now I know this could get complicated, so I'll go slow. If these programs could cut American recidivism by even a quarter, that means lower crime rates, which means less police officers, prison guards, bricks and bars bought on the taxpayers expense, which means more taxpayer money could go into other government programs, such as education, may even helping MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS ET BETTER EDUMACATED THEMSELVES!